Pico Simón Bolívar

Not to be confused with Pico Bolívar in Venezuela.

Pico Simón Bolívar is possibly the highest mountain in Colombia, with an estimated height of 5,720 metres (18,770 ft). Pico Bolívar and the neighbouring summit of Pico Cristóbal Colón are the two highest peaks in Colombia and are very nearly equal in elevation. The height difference is about 7 meters.^[2][3] For this reason, it is the fifth most prominent peak in the world (see list of peaks by prominence). The nearest peak that is higher is Cayambe, some 1,288 kilometres (800 mi) away. There is a permanent snowcap on this peak and on the nearby mountains. It is part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range, along with Pico Cristóbal Colón. The peak is named after Simón Bolívar.

Pico Simón Bolívar
Pico Cristóbal Colón (left) and Pico Simón Bolívar (right) in 2024
Highest point
Elevation	5,720 m (18,770 ft)[1]
Prominence	5,529 m (18,140 ft) Ranked 5th
Listing	Country high point Ultra
Coordinates	10°50′05″N 73°41′26″W
Geography
Pico Simón Bolívar Magdalena Department, Colombia
Parent range	Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Climbing
First ascent	1939 by Wood, Bakerwell and Praolini
Easiest route	moderate snow/ice climb, Alpine AD

Climbing history

Pico Simón Bolívar was first climbed in 1939 by W. Wood, A. Bakerwell and E. Praolini.^[4]

Access to these mountains became very difficult after the early 1990s due to hostile locals, drug traffickers, and FARC guerillas. An expedition in 2015 was one of the first to climb in the range for many years, reaching the summit of Pico Cristóbal Colón.^[5]

See also

• List of mountains by elevation
• List of Ultras of South America